If the Z-Drives are the 70BM-Z tooth belted, they look pretty durable. Interesting setup with the belt drive for both the steering and propeller!

Usually, the z-drives are independently controlled to give the vessel amazing maneuvering. Years ago I talked to the captain of the Arne Christiansen towboat (photo attached) and we discussed that. To implement the 360 degree forward only the transmitter setup is quite unique, operating like the real boat, each mounted in a rotating knob with the speed control in the middle. You can see the z-drive controls, one on either side of the captain's consoles (interior photo).

Anyway, good luck on the build and I look forward to seeing progress reports and photos!

Lew
Florida, USA

Don't know why the link will not work, maybe cause I am on my phone? But yes it's the jonny and the drives are the 70BM-Z

Same here Lew☹️
But I suspect it could be this model, the harbour tug 'Jonny'.
Cheers, Doug

https://www.bauer-modelle.com/epages/Bauer_Uwe46269592.sf/en_GB/?ViewObjectPath=%2FShops%2FBauer_Uwe46269592%2FProducts%2F303000#tab-product-attribute-MyOwnTab

https://www.bauer-modelle.com/epages/Bauer_Uwe46269592.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Bauer_Uwe46269592/Categories/%22Schiffsantriebe%2C%20Spezial-%20und%20Wellenantriebe%22/%22Schottel%2C%20Z-Antriebe%22/Kunststoff

I get an error message on the link: "The page requested is not available."

Lew
Florida, USA

Thanks for the input. Here is the boat I ordered and the drives for it.

I will be using my x10s radio for it. The plan for now Is to have both drives controlled from the right stick. The servo I got for them should act like a sail servo so an input to the right will rotate the drives to the right until I put the stick back in neutral then the drive should stay in position until the stick moves again. Both throttles will be on the left stick with no reverse. That's the theory for now, have to see how it plays out in practice.
https://www.bauer-modelle.com/epages/Bauer_Uwe46269592.mobile/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Bauer_Uwe46269592/Prod

https://www.bauer-modelle.com/epages/Bauer_Uwe46269592.mobile/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Bauer_Uwe46269592/

This is something I looked into several years ago. I made a complete set of 1/32 scale drawings for the MV Arne Christansen, a US towboat. I bought a pair of Graupner z-drives for it but never started the build.

Operation on the real boat, the props rotate in only one direction as they are designed for efficiency. To run in reverse the drive is rotated 180.

Also note that the z-drives (schottles) are independent from each other, both steering and speed.

In using the model Z-drives, I guess it depends on who/how they are made. Graupner is specific on reversing and steering change while the propeller is rotating. Power off while doing that.

Now, about the transmitter for 360 degree rotation... complicated!!!

Lew
Florida, USA 🇺🇸

Here ya go Westwind, bon chance🤞
😎

https://www.schottel.de/en/home

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=Model+Schottel+drive&tbm=isch&source=univ&fir=cWyuzZxOSvcIGM%252CMPVr43aMOu4WdM%252C_%253BScvQNHCDEH_4AM%252CbCgQk8CDeSjEEM%252C_%253B3-IRCZkKEltEuM%252CCtfAMX6QCfq8jM%252C_%253BP_hiWH_YYo9B9M%252CFzr3mz94pYB7WM%252C_%253BAqmEstFk2K-O0M%252CSUfY1fG4jvjv0M%252C_%253BwOEt8mbgy1RBpM%252Cd0jL9HZ1wnQJvM%252C_%253B-LJGP8R3JiNd2M%252CSUfY1fG4jvjv0M%252C_%253Bw6GuKisHvjL5vM%252CpLCG4IxQ78lAyM%252C_%253B0dwlidwvjIWl_M%252Cl9ssTRYsspAeKM%252C_%253BISDkBDzUwrY6RM%252CSUfY1fG4jvjv0M%252C_&usg=AI4_-kQ39uWRbrGM2wIJKsx5_jP3GtLsuw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwinkqfzisX-AhUxRfEDHZOtAFkQjJkEegQIIxAC&biw=1888&bih=908&dpr=1.02

https://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/Schottel_Drives.html

https://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/CEM050.html#SID=1808

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schottel_(company)#

Thanks Dave, I was not sure if the motors rotation could be reversed. I'll have to set my radio functions to rotate the drive fully when revese is needed. Steering this boat is gonna take some getting used too.

Hi Westwind
I suggest you search Schottel drives on Google for a full description of what they are and how they work.
Basically they consist of a motor in the hull driving a shaft below the hull to the prop at right angles to the shaft in a tube which can rotate through 360deg which will propel the vessel in any direction. Prop rotation is always in the same direction and the whole driven part is rotated by a servo etc.
There are (or used to be) commercial items available and they work very well.
dave976